The Renaissance Soulja Digest August 2014 | Page 4

EATING SOY-BASED PRODUCTS WON’T CAUSE GOUT A lot of people believe that if they consume legumes such as mungbeans and soyabeans, it would increase the uric acid levels in their blood, leading to a painful disease called gout. But there were studies conducted to prove that this is wrong. Uric acid is the waste product from the metabolism of purines (a kind of protein). A diet rich in purines include meat, seafoods and beer. If the body cannot excrete excess purines, they will build up in the joints. Purine content of legumes is not as high as those coming from animal proteins. And even so, there were studies claiming that purines derived from plants have nothing to do with gout. Professor Enicola encouraged consuming legumes such as soybeans and limiting the intake of meat products. Part of his discussion was published in the Official Gazette on January 2014. More studies were found at www.gov.ph/2014/03/03/eating-soybean-does-notincrease-risk-of-gout-studies/. 3